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EXPLOSIVE GAS ENGINE. No. 292,178. Patented Jan. 22, 1884.

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1 UNITED y STA-,TEsg-PATENT @EEIcEL ALEXANDER KIRK EIDER, oE wALnEN, NEW YoEK.

. ExPLos|vEcAs ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part f lLetters?. Patent No. 292,178, dated January 2a1884.

Application filed June 7, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may p/067% Y Y Be it known that I, ALEXANDER K. RIDER,

of Walden, in the county of Orange and State' of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in ExplosiveGas En-l gines; and I do hereby declare the" following to be afull, clear, and exact description ofthe' electrical appliances for igniting the charges.-

With these objectsin view my invention comprehends devices for producing one or more magnetic sparks by the contact and separation of suitable terminals located within the motive cylinder.

In the accompanying drawings,Figure l is a view in vertical section, through the motive cylinder and igniting-bonnet,of an explosivegas engine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an exterior view of the bonnet, showing the devices employed for separating the terminals. Fig. 3 is an interior view of the bonnet, showing a modification of the devices for interrupting the circuit. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are interior views of bonnets, respectively, embodying modied forms which the circuit-breaking devices may assume.

A represents the motive cylinder of an ex- 1 plosive-gas engine, the piston B thereof being driven by the explosion of a charge of mixed gas and air inthe chamber C. An aperture, D, formed in the said cylinder and opening invto chamber C aforesaid, is adapted to receive the igniting-bonnet E, through which the arbors F and G extend, the outerends of the said arbors' being, respectively, connected to the opposite poles of a suitable dynamo-elec- -tric machine.

The inner end of the arbor F, which prefer# ably consists of a simple steelrod, is provided with a disk, H, the same having an arm', I, at-

tached to it, as shown. A short platinumy cyl-- inder, J, extendingtrans'versely through the outer end of the said arm, forms one terminal of the'circuitbreaker, a similar "cylinder, K,

mounted in theinner end of the arbor G, forming the other terminal thereof. The saidar# bor G, which is preferably formed of copper,

' is insulated from the bonnet by an envelope,

N, of asbestus or other suitable material.

For the purpose of forming'a tight joint for thearbor F, which is rotated on its longitudinal axis, as will be hereinafter described,"V the inner end of thel said arbor is provided witha valve-face bearing, O, arranged to iit in a suitable recess, l?, formed in the inner face of the bonnet, the. said valve-face lbeing maintained in position in the recess by means of a spring, R, encircling the arbor and interposed between a drum, S, secured to the outer end thereof, and the bonnet. This spring also op' crates to take up any wear resulting from friction between the surfaces in contact.

By use of the valve-face and recess, as described, stuiiing-boxes are done away with` with obvious advantage.

The terminals J and K are separated for the production of the spark relied upon to ignite and explode the successive charges introduced into the cylinder by a slight rotation of the arbor F. This is effected by providing the outer end of the arbor with the drum S, to which an arm, T, of steel or brass, is rigidly secured.

The arm- 'inay,'however, be directly attached to thearbor without the intervention of the drum. A momentum-block, U, attached to the free end of the said arm, is arranged to be engaged and depressed once during every revolution of a rQtating finger, V, the same be- ,ing actuated by any suitable motive-agency. So far as the terminals are concerned, the depression of the block and arm operates only to bring them in closer contact. Vhen, however, the block is released from the finger, the ten sion acquired by the arm causes it to recoil with the effect of slightly rotating the arbor F and separating the terminals .I and K, which V,are lalmost immediately brought in contact again by the reaction ofthe momentum-block.

' A spring, W, attached to the arm in the manner shown, is arranged to absorb the vibrationsthereof. Theuseofthemomentum-block enablesthe circuit'to be broken and closed very suddenly, which is a desideratumin the application of electricity to the ignition of the charges,.for the reason that the more labrupt the Ybreaking of the ,circuit and the reversal of the current. the stronger the spark obtained. The strength of the spark is greatly augmented by the saturation f the iield-of-force magioo nets of the dynamo-electric generator between the successive interruptions of the circuit, for as the said magnets are practically demagnetized by every interruption of the circuit, the spark produced embodies the accumulated effect of as many turns of the armatureas were required to saturate them. My improved application of electricity to gas-engines is eminently adapted to make this desirable mode of increasing the strength of the spark available. The intensity of the spark may also be increased without the use of a coil by simply using finer wire in the armature and fieldmagnets. The magnetic spark thus derived is of very high caloric power, and will ignite gases and mixtures of gas and air which cannot be ignited by a flame or by electricity, as heretofore applied.

The mechanism shown in Fig. 3 is the same as that shown in Figs. l and 2, except that it is adapted to be operated by a vibrating instead of a rotating finger. rIhe adaptation for this purpose consists simply ina rocking bearing, X, pivoted to the momentum-block U, and held in a position of readiness to be engaged by the downstroke of the vibrating iinger V by a spring, Y, arranged as shown. On the upstroke, the finger elevates the bearing against the force of the spring Y and passes it without throwing the arm T into vibration.

In the modified device shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings the arm I is replaced by a copper plate, Z, provided with a contact-point, A', made integral with or attached to it. On the other hand, the terminal K of the arbor G is replaced by a volute platinum spring, B, the outer end of the same being normally engaged with the contact-point A aforesaid. The interruption of the circuit is effected by the lateral deflection of the plate, which causes -the separation of the point and spring. A

block, C', of porcelain or other suitable inaterial, is mounted in the plateZ, and arranged to engage with the spring and prevent the same from springing up and interfering with the return ofthe plate after deflection. Banking-pins D', respectively located on opposite` sides of the plate, are designed to define the limit of vibration in each direction. As herein shown, the devices employed for vibrating the plate are the same as those shown for separating the terminals of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2; but any other suitable means of interrupting the circuit by contact and separation may be adopted.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings the circuit is broken by the escapement of a volute platinum spring, E, on a copper ratchet-wheel, F', the said ratchet and spring being respectively secured to the inner ends of arbors corresponding to the arbors F and G of Figs. 1 and 2. The ratchet is rotated by means of a vibrating arm, G', provided with a pawl, H', the latter being arranged to engage with the teeth of aratchet mounted on the arbor of the ratchet F and located on the exterior of the bonnet. Every successive vibration of the arm G produces one escapement of the spring E on the ratchet F, the circuit being interrupted at every escapement. be replaced by a pawl rigidly secured to the arbor, which must be arranged to be rotated through a short arc. For this purpose it is inclosed in a copper sleeve, the same being insulated in the bonnet by an envelope of nonconducting material. rIhe object in using the sleeve is to provide means for obtaining the -valve-face joint or bearing, which cannot be arranged like the uninsulatcd arbor on account of the non-conducting envelope. The pawl would, of course, have a suitable spring associated with it to maintain it in normal contact with the ratchet.

The modified arrangement shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings is similar to that represented in Fig. 5. It comprehends the use of a copper disk, I', arranged to be partially or completely rotated, and provided with a series of porcelain cylinders or pins, J, which break the continuity of the periphery of the disk, to the contour of which they are conformed. The outer ends of these cylinders are further conformed to the valve-face bearing on the reverse face of the disk. A volute platinum spring, K', secured to thc arbor, corresponding to the arbor G of Figs. l and 2, is arranged to engage with the periphery of the disk, the rotation of which alternately engages the spring with the segments of the periphery thereof and the porcelain cylinders, and thus interrupts the circuit. The circuit may be broken by rotating the disk through a short arc; or the disk may be completely rotated one or more times to produce a suecession of sparks. Again, it may be arranged to be continuously rotated and the current short-circuited around it and interrupted, as desired'. No means of actuating the disk are shown, the devices employed being chosen with reference to the plan adopted for its operation. If desired to rotate the disk through short arcs, a pinion mounted on its arbol, and adapted to receive an impulse at every revolution of a revolving finger, may be employed. On the other hand, if desired to rotate it com- If desired, the spring E may IOO IIO

pletely, the pinion maybe arranged to be actuated by a suitable train of wheels.

The principle of producing a spark within the motive cylinder ofthe engine by the contact and separation of terminals is obviously capable of embodiment in many different devices, and I do not restrict myself to those herein shown, which depend upon the movement of at least one of the terminals in a circular path. This plan neednot be adhered to, although it seems best adapted to fulfill the requirements demanded.

The arbor to which the movable terminal is secured should be invariably provided with the valve-face bearing, as and for the purpose described, and if the arbors of both terminals are rotated both arbors should beso arranged.

In view ofthe modifications herein suggested,

and others of which the invention is obviously susceptible, I would have it understood that I do not limit myself yto the exact construction and combinations of parts herein shown and described, but hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall with- Y in the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention,wli at I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isv 1. In an explosive-gas engine, the combi-A nation, with a bonnet insertedthrougli the cylinder, of an electric circuit-breaker supported by said bonnet, the terminalsbeing located within the motive cylinder, substantially as set forth.

2. In an explosive-gas engine,terminals located within the motive cylinder, one being movable, a spring-arm connected with the movable terminal, and means for laying the said arm under tension and allowing it to suddenly recoil to move the movable terminal and interrupt the circuit, substantially as set forth.

3. In an explosive-gas engine, an ignitingbonnet, arbors extending through said bonnet, terminals respectively secured to the inner ends of said arbors, and means to move one arbor and separate the terminals, substantially as set forth.

4. In an explosive-gas engine, an ignitingbonnet, arborswextending through said bonnet, terminals secured to the inner ends of the arbors, and means to rotate one of the arbors on its longitudinal axis for the purpose of separating the terminals, substantially as set forth.

5. In an explosive-gas engine, an igniting- -bonnet, arbors extending through the bonnet, means to insulate one of the arbors therein, terminals attached to the inner ends of the arbors, and means to move one of the arbors to separate the terminals, substantially` as set forth.

6. In an explosive-gas engine, an ignitingbonnet, arbors extending through the same,

means to connect the outer' ends of the arbors with a generator of electricity, terminals associated with the inner ends of the arbors, and devices to move one arbor or both to separate the terminals, substantially as set forth..

'valve-face bearings fitting in recesses located on the inner face of the bonnet, and means to maintain the said bearings in the recesses, substantially as set forth.

9. In an explosive-gas engine, an ignitingbonnet, arbors extending through the same,

. terminals associated with the inner ends of the arbors, one of which is arranged to be rotated on its longitudinal axis, a vibratory arm having one en d rigidly secured to the movable arbor, and means for laying the arm under tension and suddenly releasing it, substantially as set forth.

10. In an explosive-gas engine, an ignitingbonnet, arbors extending through Vthe same, terminals associated with the inner ends ofthe arbors, one of which is movable, a vibratory arm secured to the movable arbor, a momentum-block attached to the outer end of the arm, and means for laying the arm under tension and suddenly releasing it, substantially as set forth.

11. In an explosive-gas engine, an ignitingbonnet, arbors extending through the same, terminals `associated with the inner ends of the arbors,"one of which is movable, a vibratory arm secured to the movable arbor, and means for laying the arm under tension and suddenly releasing it, and a spring to absorbthevibrations of the arm after its recoil, substantially as set forth.

In' testimony whereof I have signed this V specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALEXANDER KIRK RIDER.

lVitnesses: v

WV. C. STEVENS, C. W. SADLIER. 

